“You’re right, Walter. I wasn’t thinking about your brand. I was thinking about the woman I’m in love with.”
His stare intensified. “You have some fucking balls.”
“If it comes down to Spade Hotels or Joanna, I’m not willing to lose her.” I looked at my girl and added, “I will always choose her.”
He licked across his lips, his knuckles white.
The silence like nails stabbing me.
“I don’t know what to say to you right now, Jenner, but I will tell you one thing: there’s no way in hell I’m about to share this meal with you.”
His napkin stayed on his lap.
His ass planted on the seat.
He wasn’t moving.
That meant only one thing.
He wanted me to leave.
I got up from my chair and stood across from him.
I wasn’t going to make Joanna choose.
I would never put that kind of pressure on her.
This was her father.
Her employer.
So, I reached into my pocket and took out my credit card and dropped it on the table. “Call me when you’re ready to talk,” I said to him.
I didn’t wait for a reply, for the look in his eyes to worsen.
I just left the restaurant and got into my car and drove the fuck away.